Yearbook Course Outline
1. 2. 3. 4. Course Title: Yearbook Text(s): Herff-Jones Yearbook Curriculum Software: Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Course Description: This course introduces the theory and practice of journalism including financing, writing, design, and photography. The primary purpose of this course is to produce a quality yearbook employing the current standards of middle school journalism and the tenets of good yearbook design. It is also to cover the entire school population and report on as many as possible the events of one calendar school year. As a member of the Flame yearbook staff you receive an elective credit. The course structure is not traditional in so far as each student works independently on whatever has been assigned to him/her and the student could be working on multiple tasks at the same time which are all under deadline. The student will take quizzes and tests and the materials that are turned in will be graded. The student will also be expected to participate in fundraising activities for the yearbook. Staff members are responsible for all the writing, photography, design, planning and fundraising for the Flame. Staff members will have the opportunity to learn the proper methods for developing the necessary skills for this publication in classroom activities. It is the goal of the staff to cover as much of the school year as possible while including as many of the students as possible. While working on this publication, staff members will hopefully, develop a sense of personal pride and responsibility. Members will learn skills such as time management and perseverance that will help them in any future career. This course lasts for one year and my not be dropped at midyear without prior approval by the teacher. 5. Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you will be better able to do the following: a. The student will demonstrate proficiency in a variety of journalistic writing. i. List the five functions of a yearbook: history, educational, memory, reference, and fun/picture book. ii. Explain the difference between primary and secondary audience. iii. Describe the function of the yearbook, which is to include everyone in the school iv. Discuss the importance of deadlines in the classroom and at the plant. v. Identify the yearbook’s responsibility in publication: fairness, accuracy, and good taste.
vi. Write assigned stories using editor's choice of topics vii. Interview potential sources for possible use in story viii. Use concrete details in writing that will make the reader feel he is there ix. Gather information for a story to include answers to the five W's and how x. Research background information using past yearbooks, newspapers library, internet sources xi. Write in third person, past tense, active voice xii. Take complete, accurate notes when quoting sources xiii. Write stories using quote/transition format xiv. Consult staff manual for correct quote attribution xv. Apply headline guidelines to create headlines with verbal and visual impact xvi. Define captions as mini-stories that answer all questions about a photo xvii. Employ constructive criticism from editors and advisers to improve writing xviii. Proof facts and names for accuracy and spelling xix. Identify basic proofreader's marks b. The student will describe or demonstrate good design technique. i. Create mock layouts using columnar design and the one pica rule ii. Design layouts using grid method iii. Apply layout rules to design iv. Draw roughs of student editor-designed templates as basis for assigned section work v. Load layouts/templates using Adobe InDesign vi. Use word processing and graphic design techniques to complete assigned work c. The student will participate in planning the content and tone of a publication. i. Define theme as it applies to the story of this year giving the yearbook a unique personality and approach. ii. Brainstorm creative phrases or words to generate a slogan unique to this year. iii. Identify the theme presentation package, which includes the cover, endsheets, title page, opening, divider pages, and closing. iv. Develop interpretation of theme for a book by creating a theme presentation package. v. Present theme presentation package to class. vi. Label the six sections of the yearbook: student life, people, organizations, academics, sports, and ads. vii. Define staff roles, guidelines, policies viii. Create ladder to identify content, record deadlines, note editors and reporters responsible for content. d. The student will evaluate journalistic products.
The student will demonstrate proficiency in interviewing. The student will write articles based on research. The student will demonstrate proficiency in editing. The student will correctly use copyreaders and proofreaders’ symbols. The student will demonstrate familiarity with photography and the uses of photography in journalism. i. Identify the variety of photos: mug shots, group photo, candid photo ii. Scan photos iii. Edit photos using Adobe Photoshop iv. Read layouts and label pictures correctly for submission to plant v. Record photo opportunities and get pictures taken vi. Organize photos for usable system for use on deadlines vii. Identify best photos for use on double-page spreads viii. Consult with photographers for possible shots needed on deadline ix. Take pictures j. The student will explain or demonstrate business management procedures relevant to journalism. i. Assess all potential revenue and expenses to determine budget ii. Track income to ad manager, adviser, bookkeeper iii. Develop and implement marketing plan for ad sales iv. Develop and implement marketing plan for book sales v. Sell ads to parents and businesses k. The student will indicate a familiarity with the terms, laws, ethics, and history of journalism. i. Explain basic elements of libel: publication, identification, injury, and fault. ii. Discuss the meaning and use of copyrights and trademarks. l. The student will demonstrate or explain how journalism assignments have required the use of skills he or she has learned in other classes. m. The student will describe and demonstrate some of the uses of computers in journalism. 6. Course Outline: a. First Quarter i. Create and develop yearbook theme. ii. Sell Ads and participate in fundraising activities iii. Ladder, Cover, Endsheets iv. Comp Editor -- make pages v. Deadline 1 will be October 24th and every two weeks for assigned spreads vi. Mini-lessons on Journalism vii. Mini-lessons on Publication Design b. Second Quarter i. Continue spreads; correct returned plant spreads ii. Continue selling ads and fundraising iii. Mini-lessons on Journalism
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iv. Mini-lessons on Publication Design c. Third Quarter i. Deadline 2 will be end of March ii. Digital video editing d. Fourth Quarter i. Continue digital video editing ii. Distribute Yearbook 7. Course Requirements: a. Assignments must be quality work and will not be accepted unless approved by the editors and adviser. The work will be revised until it meets these qualities and technique standards. b. Deadlines are established and must be met. If a student misses a deadline, the student puts the entire production behind schedule in the plant, which directly affects when the yearbook is delivered. So if a student does not meet the deadline, a failing grade will be given for that quarter. If a minideadline is missed, the grade will be lowered by one letter grade. Make the deadlines with no excuses. c. If another student has to finish a student’s spread because of incompetence or attitude, that student will receive a failing grade for the quarter in which it occurred. d. Staff is expected to stay after school and work until the job is completed even if the computer loses your work through no fault of your own. You must still stay after and redo your spread. e. Staff is expected to sell yearbooks and ads and to participate in sales promotions and fundraising and final distribution as part of their grade. f. Do not take yearbook spreads, pictures, etc home to work on them or leave them in your book bag. Everything must be available to staff at all times. g. All pictures, CD's and information are yearbook property and staff is not allowed and does NOT have permission to make copies or release/give pictures to anyone including the staff. h. Yearbook is a yearlong course with semester exams. i. A three ring binder and closable folders to keep photos, interviews; at least two floppy disks/or a zip to keep your photos on. 8. Attendance Policy: To comply with Idaho State Law, students are expected to attend school every day and to be on time unless there is illness or death in the immediate family. 9. Evaluation a. Assignments/projects/essays 60% b. Tests/quizzes 15% c. Selling Ads/fundraising 15% d. Participation bonus 10% 100%